Why Easter is so late this year

We're almost out of March, and still no Easter. Some years, we're already cleaning up from the egg hunts.

Here's why you have to wait another month for this year's ham and hot cross buns.

When is Easter 2019?

This year's holiday is Sunday, April 21.

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Aalyah McCowns, center, gives the Easter Bunny, Tashawn Carter, right, high five during Skateland's "Biggest Skate Party of the Year," Sunday, April 16, 2017. With extended hours and two hours free admission, skaters new to the activity and seasoned, enjoyed the fun.(Photo: Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar)

Jesus ate a Passover meal with his disciples on a Thursday, the day before his crucifixion on Good Friday. Easter Sunday is celebrated on the Sunday following Passover Thursday. So the date of Passover determines the date of Easter Sunday. EXCEPT.

You have to wait another month for this year's egg hunts and hot cross buns.(Photo: Gabe Hernandez/Caller-Times file, Caller-Times)

The Passover full moon ("paschal moon") is the first full moon date on or after March 21. Easter is always celebrated on the Sunday immediately following it.

So why don't we celebrate Easter Sunday, March 24 this year?

It's a matter of hours.

This year's first full moon of spring was Wednesday, March 20. According to EarthSky, the moon officially turned full at 9:43 p.m. The vernal equinox began just four hours beforehand, around 6 p.m.

So this year's paschal full moon was indeed, after the vernal equinox. So why don't we celebrate Easter March 24?

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The Easter Bunny, Tashawn Carter, greets skaters during Skateland's "Biggest Skate Party of the Year," Sunday, April 16, 2017. With extended hours and two hours free admission, skaters new to the activity and seasoned, enjoyed the fun.(Photo: Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar)

When is the latest Easter can possibly be?

The holiday can fall any time between March 22 and April 25. The earliest Easter can possibly be is when Saturday, March 21 is a full moon, in which case Easter is Sunday, March 22. If the full moon is Saturday, March 20 (remember, the paschal moon has to be March 21 or later to "count"), then Easter is Sunday, April 25.